LUCY BURDETTE: As you can see from my partial TBR pile, I have plenty of good books ahead of me. And it’s a fabulous season for Jungle Red books, by the way...Jenn’s PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA is out now, and next week we have Hank’s THE FIRST TO LIE, and Rhys’s THE LAST MRS. SUMMERS, and the following week, the paperback edition of Hallie’s CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, and my own THE KEY LIME CRIME.
I’m definitely buying books, but my reading is slow as molasses. How about you all? Is the pandemic-that-will-not-end changing how you read? What can you recommend?
HALLIE EPHRON: I just finished Susan Cerulean’s (she’s Lucy’s sister) I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED THE SINGLE BIRD, a beautiful, elegiac work which still haunts me. I’m in the middle of Jenn’s PARIS and loving it. Next up Hank’s FIRST TO LIE (did you see her Facebook post of boxes and boxes and boxes of books to be signed??) In my TBR pile, Carol Goodman’s THE SEA OF LOST GIRLS and Tara Westover’s EDUCATED and THE GLASS HOTEL by Emily St. John.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Hallie, I read THE GLASS HOTEL last month and loved it. I’m still not sure I could tell you what it was about, but I couldn’t put it down. I got an early crack at Hank’s THE FIRST TO LIE (loved it!) and am re-reading Rhys’s Royal Spyness series before THE LAST MRS SUMMERS comes out. I love escaping to Lady Georgie’s world, and even her brother Binky’s dank castle sounds good right now, with the temps here in Maine at 90 degrees.
On my TBR pile: One of the big domestic suspense books of the summer, THE SAFE PLACE by Anna Downes. Also a political satire by Christopher Buckley (love his work) titled MAKE RUSSIA GREAT AGAIN - I’ll let you guess what that one’s about. The SF novel waiting in the wings is FINDER by Suzanne Palmer, about an interstellar repo man. The second book in the series, DRIVING THE DEEP, came out in June, and it looked very intriguing, but I’m one of those people who has to start at the beginning, so...
Definitely can recommend: THE CHILL by Scott Carson, a mystery/horror/supernatural thriller with great characters and a brilliant sense of place. As I was reading it, I thought, “This reminds me of Michael Koryta’s supernatural books.” The reason why, as I discovered after finishing? Carson is Koryta. He’s decided on a nom de plume to separate his ghost stories from his decidedly-grounded-in-real-life thrillers.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Here’s the photo..amazing, right? These are all for the Brenda Novak Book Club. Let’s see. Reading. I have my favorite Andrew Wilson’s I SAW HIM DIE, with Agatha Christie as the sleuth. I just adore his books--so clever! The new Shari Lapena arrived, hurray, called THE END OF HER. I hope it’s as good as her others. Elly Griffiths’ THE LANTERN MEN is waiting for me too. Whoo hoo. I adored CATHERINE HOUSE by Elisabeth Thomas--so weird and twisty! And truly, Rachel Howzell Hall is a rock star--her PI novel AND NOW SHE’S GONE is gripping and terrific. Oh and my sister in First Chapter Fun--do you know it?--Hannah Mary McKinnon’s SISTER DEAR is a fantastic book--so surprising! And more I cannot say. Rhys, Lucy, Jenn! SO excited about your books!
(And aw, thank you all. I am freaking out in pre-launch crazies, and it’s wonderful to have you here.)
AND! THE FIRST TO LIE is in a Goodreads giveaway! Sign up now! https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/309617-the-first-to-lie
JENN MCKINLAY: I’ve discovered a new author Mhairi (pronounced Vah-Ree) McFarlane and I just devoured IF I NEVER MET YOU. A women’s fiction novel set in Manchester that was charming and witty and smart. I loved it. Also, I read Farrah Rochon’s THE BOYFRIEND PROJECT which was delightful. Truly, wonderful romcom about women supporting women. Fabulous. As for mysteries, I have Hank’s THE FIRST TO LIE lined up, having just finished DEATH AT HIGH TIDE by Hannah Dennison, which was perfection! It comes out next month and it’s a traditional mystery featuring two sisters as amateur sleuths who inherit an old hotel on the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall. So fun!
DEBORAH CROMBIE: We are having a Reds bonanza!! Last week I read Jenn's PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA, and I barely put it down from start to finish! I loved it SO much!!! This week I'm reading Hank's fabulous THE FIRST TO LIE, and loving that, too. Next week is--yay--Rhys's latest Georgie, THE LAST MRS. SUMMERS. I've just finished Jim Butcher's latest and long-awaited Harry Dresden novel, PEACE TALKS. And up on my TBR pile, Kim Powers' RULES FOR BEING DEAD, S.C. Perkins' LINEAGE MOST LETHAL, Andrew Wilson's A TALENT FOR DEATH, his first book featuring Agatha Christie. I managed to snag a used paperback copy, so excited! I've also got Karen Odden's A TRACE OF DECEIT, which I would have bought just for the cover. It is so gorgeous.
Then looking forward to Lucy's THE KEY LIME CRIME (I really need some Key West and Haley Snow in my life right now…) and coming in September, the new Robert Galbraith Cormoron Strike novel, TROUBLED BLOOD. I absolutely cannot wait for this one--I LOVE this series. And isn't there a new Vera coming from Ann Cleeves? Oooh, and Jenn's ONE FOR THE BOOKS, coming in September, too!
Oh, and adding one more. I really want to read Maggie O'Farrell's HAMNET, a novel about Will Shakespeare that's getting amazing reviews. Has anyone else read this one?
RHYS BOWEN : I am currently in one of my blurbing overloads, with three books currently waiting for my endorsements. All enjoyable, I’m glad to say, but it certainly puts a damper on my reading for pleasure. Which means I’m only part way through Jenn’s PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA and next week I have to find time for Hank and Lucy’s new books. Oh, and next week I just happen to have a new book out myself, which means Zoom events and blog interviews and lots of social media.
I wish someone would give permission for me to just sit and read. Every other summer I’m sitting by a lovely beach, or in an Italian garden or by the River Seine and I can read without being interrupted.
Now it seems I should have all the time in the world at home but as well as book promotion I have writing to do, copy edits coming in, proposal for next novel etc etc. I am dreaming of my vacation!
Lucy: Rhys, I just said that exact thing to my writing group pals: I need to take the month of September and read, read, read... Reds, are you reading? What must we add to our piles?
Indeed, I am reading. I’m in the middle of Jenn’s wonderful PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA . . . I’ve read an ARC of Hank’s THE FIRST TO LIE . . . an ARC of Christopher Paolini’s amazing TO SLEEP IN A SEA OF STARS . . . THE ART OF ROBERT McCALL: A CELEBRATION OF OUR FUTURE IN SPACE . . . Robert Pobi’s UNDER PRESSURE . . . Anna Downes’s THE SAFE PLACE . . . David Eicher’s GALAXIES: INSIDE THE UNIVERSE’S STAR CITIES . . . Amanda Cox’s THE EDGE OF BEGINNING . . . and I’ve finally read THE RISE OF THE MAGICKS, the third book in the Nora Roberts “Chronicle of the One” trilogy . . . .
ReplyDeleteWe can always count on you for a stack of suggestions Joan!
DeleteI've slowed down a bit, so my reading level is back to normal, but this spring, I was reading books as fast as I could.
ReplyDeleteI've read and enjoyed THE LAST MRS. SUMMERS recently. Right now, I'm about half way through THE KEY LIME CRIME, also enjoyable. And I just started the audio of THE MURDER LIST. Sorry, Hank, I'm still a little behind, but I'm catching up.
I finally read the first in the BILLY BOYLE series a couple months ago and enjoyed it. Hoping I can get to the second one next month along with the of Jenn's Library Lover's series since I still have a few to go to get caught up there.
My reading level is still not normal. I am averaging about 2 books a week so my TBR pile is ever growing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the ARCs of Hank's THE FIRST TO LIE. Lucy's THE KEY LIME CRIME is on my schedule for next week. And ARCs of Donna Andrews' THE FALCON WINGS TWICE and Ellen Byron's MURDER AT THE BAYOU BONEYARD provided much needed reads that were full of laughs.
Glen Erik Hamilton's A DANGEROUS BREED and Ragnar Jonasson's THE MIST were thrillingly and chillingly entertaining, as usual.
First Chapter Fun has been great to watch even week (thanks, HANK and HANNAH). They introduced me to several great books including two by Canadian authors: Hannah Mary McKinnon's SISTER DEAR and Katie Tallo's DARK AUGUST.
Seconding the shout out to Hank’s First Chapter Fun... a great way to sample new books, carefully chosen for you
DeleteThanks for the reminder about Glen Erik Hamilton's book, Grace. I've read that series from the beginning and really liked it, but haven't picked up the new book.
DeleteAll the Reds books, of course. And I highly recommend Ramona DeFelice Long's The Murderess of Bayou Rosa. Right now I'm in the middle of Little Voiced by Vanessa Lillie and, like Rhys, wish I didn't have obligations so I could just sit and read it. I also have VM Burns's Travellin' Shoes on my Kindle.
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't say this, because I write cozies, but right now they aren't doing it for me as much as darker books. With the world so dark, you'd think I would want a break. That said, I'm overdue to pick up Sherry Harris's From Beer to Eternity at my local indy, and look forward to The Key Lime Crime!
Thanks Edith! I have Ramona's book in the pile, and Sherry's on order...
DeleteI'm reading/listening to GHOSTS OF HARVARD, and it's amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes I'm reading. It hasn't always been easy because it has been so sweltering here in Massachusetts lately.
ReplyDeleteBut I finished reading an advance copy of the Kyle Mills thriller TOTAL POWER and Lorna Barrett's HANDBOOK FOR HOMICIDE which was just published last week.
I'm about to start NEVER THE CRIME by Colin Conway and Frank Zafiro. And I'm picking up Jon Land's STRONG FROM THE HEART and FROM BEER TO ETERNITY by Sherry Harris.
Other books on the horizon are Cheryl Hollon's STILL KNIFE PAINTING and a few Sheila Connolly and Kristen Lepionka books though I don't know what order they will be read in. Oh and books by James Swallow, Ace Atkins and others.
Also, I'm reading a collection of Archie Comics stories. I bought the collection for my Halloween giveaway box but I always read everything I give out to be sure there's nothing some idiot parent can complain about.
I finished Jenn's Paris is Always a Good Idea in two days last week and enjoyed it. I just finished Lucy's A Deadly Feast and waiting for The Key Lime Crime. Also eagerly waiting for next books from Rhys and Hank.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Hank, I discovered here Mike Avery's The Cooperating Witness that I voraciously read and loved.
I'm currently reading a series by a Sweden author: Viveca Sten. I don't know the titles in English because I'm reading the French translation but I like the series in the Sandham Islands.
Forgot to say that I also read all of S.W.Hubbard's Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mytery series and loved it. When a new author to me catch my interest I often go back to read what she wrote before.
DeleteI love SW Hubbard's Frank series!
DeleteShalom Friends. This year has been a slow one for reading. I’ve just been distracted by the news and about my life as it changed somewhat this year. We are just finishing the seventh month and I have read 7 books this year. A new thing this year was that all of these books were audiobooks. While I am home, I read all kinds of stuff, this year I was only able to read books by listening while I was out walking or recently waiting for a bus.
ReplyDeleteI did start the year reading Julia’s Through The Evil Days. This was followed by Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind & Soul by Ruth Soukup. Then I listened to Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul. That was followed by the novel If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin. Next was Carthage by Joyce Carol Oates. Then back to James Baldwin, I listened to The Fire Next Time. And somewhere in there, I listened to Twelve Years A Slave, by Solomon Northurp.
Right now, I am finishing up The Life of Moses by Dr. James Montgomery Boice. Before coming to Bucks County, I lived for three years in Philadelphia. While there, I would find myself at Tenth Presbyterian Church on Sunday mornings and often Sunday evenings, listening to Dr. Boice preach. He died only a few years later, much too young.
On tap, is Jenn’s Paris is Always a Good Idea.
My reading amount is about the same but I am still behind, probably because I spent a lot of time rereading an older, very thick book. It was wonderful so very much worth it. Now I'm catching up on others I have been waiting for. You people have given me great ideas to make my list even longer!
ReplyDeleteAfter bingeing my way through Julia's series, including HID FROM OUR EYES (which was fabulous), my reading has slowed down. Something to do with writing a book, having to finish revisions on the book due in August (the second Home Front Mystery), prep for the launch of BROKEN TRUST (eeek - only 11 days away!), get a kid ready to go to college (eeek - only 3 weeks away!) and still hold down a day job.
ReplyDeleteSigh.
I'm reading an ARC for a blurb right now, but then I'll have THE FIRST TO LIE to pick up in a couple days, plus my MMPB of Rachel Howzell Hall's ALL FALL DOWN should be here, plus I'll finally(!) get to Joe Ide's IQ, then I have Gregg Hurwitz's INTO THE FIRE, and a couple Michael Connelly books my dad gave me. So my September should be packed!
I spent last weekend and Monday binging on Daniel Silva's latest, THE ORDER, set in Venice and Rome with lots of Vatican skullduggery. Loved it! And Martin Walker's latest Inspector Bruno, THE SHOOTING AT CHATEAU ROCK. Next up: Kristen Lepionka's latest, O'Farrell's HAMNET, Buckley's MAKE RUSSIA GREAT AGAIN.
ReplyDeleteI want to read the Buckley!
DeleteI took a staycation last week and I think I hit my pre-coronavirus reading level during that week. It felt wonderful. Even now that I am back to keeping a regular work schedule, I feel like the "can't focus to read" curse is finally broken.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the wonderful Reds books everyone has mentioned, I have been branching out from my usual mystery-intensive list. I just finished Tara Westover's EDUCATED, and I'm currently reading Ann Patchett's THE DUTCH HOUSE and catching up on a book everyone I knew at the time read in college, but I somehow never got to: ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE by Robert M. Pirsig. I also recently finished DEATH IN THE OFF SEASON, the first in Francine Mathews wonderful Merry Folger series (which I won here on Jungle Reds!), DIE LAUGHING, an installment in Carola Dunn's delightful Daisy Dalrymple series, and THE MOUNTAINS WILD by Sarah Stewart Taylor. I have the rest of the Merry Folger series waiting for me, and THE RULE OF FOUR by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. I have also been making my way through Colin Cotterill's quirky, charming Siri Paiboun series and am now more motivated than ever, since the last in the series THE DELIGHTFUL LIFE OF A SUICIDE PILOT has just been released.
Susan, I read a long-form article by Tara Westover about her upbringing, but somehow I missed that she had a book come out of it. (Duh.) Thanks for the update - I'll look for it in my library. Well, on their catalog, to be picked up at the curb. :-)
DeleteThanks everyone for all this great information ! Making lists...
ReplyDeleteIt’s always so fascinating to read these! Love this.
ReplyDeleteResponding to Deb's question about whether anyone has read HAMNET by Maggie O'Farrell--I have and I love it! In fact, it might be my favorite novel of the past several years. A beautifully told story about Shakespeare, his wife Agnes (Anne), and children, Hamnet (Hamlet), Juliet, and Susanna.
ReplyDeleteI can also recommend that Reds readers take a look at the long-list nominees for the Crook's Corner Book Prize ($5,000 awarded for the best debut novel set in the South). As a Board member, I am so proud of this outstanding list of nominees. A judge will select the winner from the short list, so I don't have a direct vote, but will say that my favorite in this list IN WEST MILLS. https://crookscornerbookprize.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Longlist-Press-Release-2020-Google-Docs.pdf
https://crookscornerbookprize.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Longlist-Press-Release-2020-Google-Docs.pdf
Katie, thank you for the tip! Hamnet is definitely going on my list!
DeleteKatie, I had lost track of Maggie O'Farrell having a new book out, so I'm delighted to read your comments. I'll be ordering it today. Thanks! Have you read O'Farrell's The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox? It's one of my favorite books of all time.
DeleteAren't we lucky that we have so many choices right now? And so many wonderful ones. I really appreciate the writing community at the moment, even more than I usually do.
ReplyDeleteLike Edith, I highly recommend Ramona DeFelice Long's The Murderess of Bayou Rosa. Unique voices, compelling characters and story, in a fully drawn setting.
I'm listening to a book that I probably would not have picked up if it hadn't been in a push notice from Amazon, but it's so good and weird and different. Nothing to See Here, by Kevin Wilson. The narrator justifiably won a 2020 Audie for her work.
How could I forget these books? I have recently read four that have plunged me inside cultures I'm unfamiliar with, all very good reads.
DeleteThe Talking Drums, by Lisa Braxton, who guest blogged here. Such a good story.
The Murmur of Bees, by Sofia Segovia, which takes place during the 1918 pandemic in Central America.
The Storyteller's Secret, by Sejal Badani, a wonderful story about India during the British occupation, racism, and feminine power.
Americanah, by Chimananda Ngozi Adichie, which our bookclub read. A Nigerian woman comes to the United States for university and ends up blogging about her perspectives on race in America. Fascinating and unique perspective.
Hank, even though I have an account on Net Galley, and a password, and even though it says THE FIRST TO LIE is mine for the asking, when I try to download it, I get a message that says to wait while something something something happens, which never does. Never fear, I've ordered it and will review it as soon as I read it.
ReplyDeleteDebs, run, don't walk, and read HAMNET. It's the first book I've cried over since forever. Beautiful story, beautifully written, and it touched my heart in a special way. I see a literary prize in its future.
Most excellent books I've read in July include BLACKTOP WASTELAND by S.A. Cosby -- don't miss this one -- THE LANTERN MEN, by Elly Griffith, TOO MUCH AND NEVER ENOUGH, by Mary Trump -- blame Catriona McPherson for this one, but it's well worth reading -- A DARK ADAPTED EYE, by Ruth Rendell, because it's time to reread all her books, SHATTERING GLASS, edited by Heather Graham (thank you Heather, for sending this to me), and now I'm halfway thru THE TURNING TIDE, by Catriona McPherson -- thank you Catriona for this and for sending me your spare copy of PA'QUE TO LOS SEPAS!, edited by Angel Luis Colon.
I'm waiting on Lucy Roberta's THE KEY LIME CRIME, and also we are exchanging daily puppy antics on messenger. As most of you know by now, Roberta and I are new mothers to two month old puppies, a Havenese named Lottie for her and a miniature poodle, Sergeant Pepper, for me. It's a race to see who gets potty trained first. I'm talking about the puppies. Roberta and I are already continent. Usually.
Ann, where can the rest of us see puppy pics?
DeleteFacebook is full of them. Some are public. Others private. Friend me?
DeleteThank you, Ann! I will order Hamnet NOW!
DeleteJust ordered the Hamnet ebook last week and planning to read soon.
DeleteI want to second Karen's recommendation of NOTHING TO SEE HERE by Kevin Wilson. It's not a book I'd likely have chosen, but it was the selection for my book group, so I read it--and so glad I did. As Karen said, it is weird and funny--and really touching. And it has maybe the most arresting cover illustration ever!
ReplyDeleteI just looked it up, Katie, and I agree! Sounds like the sort of offbeat thing I'd like to read.
DeleteMy reading pace had never been worse, but it’s picking up some now. Of course, with all the great books coming out and just having come out, there’s lots of incentive to kick myself in gear. Here’s my blog post from the other day that tells you what I’m reading and what I’m going to read (or at least some of it). Of course, the Jungle Reds are there. http://www.readingroom-readmore.com/2020/07/summer-stunners-end-of-july-and-first.html?m=1
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll check out your blog post.
DeleteI moved from San Jose to El Dorado Hills (CA) in early June, and I am still borrowing ebooks from my two San Jose libraries. I have done curbside pickup twice at my new local library, as it's nice to read "real" books for a change, but I'm sad to say their catalog is not nearly as good as the libraries "back home."
ReplyDeleteMy favorite recent reads include THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by TJ Klune (a MUST-READ), GHOSTS OF HARVARD by Francesca Serritella, I'D GIVE ANYTHING by Marisa de los Santos, THE LOST AND FOUND BOOKSHOP by Susan Wiggs, THE FLATSHARE by Beth O'Leary, THIS TENDER LAND by William Kent Krueger, and ONE TO WATCH by Kate Stayman-London.
Currently my library hold list includes: THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY by Natalie Jenner THE DISTANT DEAD by Heather Young, TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE by Meg Mitchell Moore, OF MUTTS AND MEN by Spencer Quinn, MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia , GROWN UPS by Marian Keyes, MUZZLED by David Rosenfelt, and OUTSIDER by Linda Castillo. I am also looking for most of the Reds' new books as mentioned above.
And since I couldn't find it in any of the library catalogs, I had to break down and buy the Kindle book of MUSICAL CHAIRS by Amy Poeppel, who has become one of my favorite authors.
I'm a fast reader--I've reached 200 books a year twice before. But I won't hit that this year, not that it's a goal. Now I usually get through about 3 books a week. I had trouble focusing on books earlier in the spring, but right now I love to read on my back patio in an old La-Z-Boy sofa that I couldn't fit in my new house--in the morning, while it's still lovely and cool (we hit mid-90s most days).
Thank you! I have been seeing a lot of posts about MUSICAL CHAIRS. I am adding this to my list. And I have the ebook version of THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA on hold from my library. Loved ONE TO WATCH. It is a satire on American obsession with looks. I added THE LOST AND FOUND BOOKSHOP to my TBR list. You have many wonderful books on your list. Loved THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY.
DeleteWow! So many wonderful book recommendations!!! Sorry, I am late to the party. I didn't sleep well last night.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I highly recommend all of the new novels by the Jungle Reds authors. During this pandemic, I really appreciate the writing community creating many wonderful stories.
Just got a physical book in the mail - THE GEOMETRY OF HOLDING HANDS - An Isabel Dalhousie mystery by Alexander McCall Smith. This author is an auto buy for me. I always feel happy after reading his novels. I call them my happy books.
Before I discovered Jungle Reds, I met Rhys Bowen at a mystery novel panel with Penny Warner. And I pre-ordered THE LAST SUMMER by Rhys Bowen. I love love love the photos of Cornwall that Rhys has been posting on IG.
Look forward to reading all of the new books by Jungle Reds. I already read Lucy Burdette's KEY LIME CRIME for Net Galley and loved it! I added it to my ebooks.
I have to come clean. Two of the new Jungle Reds books are really Scary so I am saving these books for Halloween.
Deborah - I added all of Karen Odden's books to my TBR. I placed holds on the ebooks from my library and just borrowed them! After reading the Jungle Reds guest post by Karen, I really wanted to read the books. I am a BIG FAN of historical fiction.
Hallie - I read EDUCATED and I had a discussion with several people on IG about a year ago? It is still on my IG feed so if you are interested, it is still there.
Hank - I added I SAW HIM DIE by Andrew Wilson after I read your interview with the author. Actually, I added all of the Agatha Christie as sleuth books because I want to read all of the books in that series.
Jenn - thanks for the Cornwall book recommendation by Hannah Dennison. I am adding her book to my TBR.
Julia - Buckley has an interesting sense of humor. I think I will add his book to my TBR.
Lucy - I preordered the LAST MRS. SUMMERS book.
Rhys - I look forward to your Zoom events. I saw a book recommendation that you gave over at Book Bub. THE LOST GIRLS OF DEVON looks interesting.
Someone mentioned a novel by a sister of CERULAN ? I added the CERULAN book to my list of holds from the library.
It's wonderful that I can borrow so many ebooks from the library. I read the Mary Russell mystery by Laurie King and it is set in Monaco this time.
Not sure if Louise Penny's new Three Pines mystery is coming out in August? And I think MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig will launch in August. I added these to my TBR list.
After watching UNORTHODOX on Netfliz, I placed a hold for the ebook from my library. I've heard that it is different from the movie.
Still reading THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley.
??? Is there a new MAGGIE HOPE mystery by Susan Elia MacNeal coming out in August???
Diana
Diana, Susan Elia MacNeal's last book, THE KING'S JUSTICE, came out this past January, so I wouldn't expect a new one until this winter.
DeleteI'd like to hear your opinion of THE GUEST LIST. I loved Foley's first book, THE HUNTING LODGE, but I was disappointed with the second, mostly because there wasn't a single character that didn't get on my nerves!
Diana, the next Louise Penny's book is coming on September the first : All the Devils Are Here.
DeleteJulia, thank you. For some reason, I thought the new Maggie Hope book was coming out in August. Perhaps I was thinking of last year? I am struggling with THE GUEST LIST because there are multiple narrators. I thought one character was a gay man, only to find out that Alioke (sp?) was a woman!
DeleteDanielle, thank you. I think officially early September is still in the summer so I was close. The fall season starts late in September?
DeleteI won't repeat all the Reds" books. I just returned from the library with Beatriz Williams' Her Last Flight. Can't wait to get into that one! My library hold list includes Lineage Most Lethal, Abbi Waxman's I Was Told It Would Get Easier, The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths, Louise Penny's All the Devils are Here. I just finished Katherine Center's latest, What You Wish For, which made me go back and read Happiness for Beginners for some backstory. I love her books. I read C.S. Harris' Who Speaks for the Damned; another great historical mystery series. And lots of other books!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. I added HER LAST FLIGHT by Beatriz Williams to my TBR.
DeleteOh, I like Beatriz William's books. Will put this one on my list. And I loved THE LANTERN MEN, which I ordered when it came out in the UK.
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ReplyDeleteI read to escape the craziness, which has (thank goodness!) spared me getting caught up in stuff like The Tiger King and all election and corona virus coverage. Now I have five overflowing bags of books I have read, and stacks everywhere of books I plan to read.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to Jim Butcher's PEACE TALKS, and Ben Aaronovitch's FALSE VALUES. Also on deck are two from Catriona McPherson: QUIET NEIGHBORS and SCOT FREE. And I'm pacing myself so I can savor #9 and #10 in Annette's Zoe Chambers series.
Books I've read and can cheerfully recommend include Elly Griffiths' THE STRANGER DIARIES and THE LANTERN MEN; Kylie Logan's THE SCENT OF MURDER, the first in a series about a woman who trains cadaver dogs; Susan Elizabeth Phillips new (after many years of waiting!) book, DANCE AWAY WITH ME; and Jenn's PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA, which I loved, loved, loved!
Not only did I shed tears over Jenn's PARIS, it inspired me to dig out the manuscript of a novel I finished back in 2004, sent out into the world, and got rejected for so many times I lost count. I thought it was a good story, and I loved the characters, back then. I wanted to see if it was as all that I remembered it to be. I'm astonished to tell you that it was better. It needs some work on the early chapters, and a good polish to get rid of the z-rust, but watch the Weird Sisters website for WRONG WAY RILEY early next year.
Gigi knows this, but I have to second. I read the manuscript of WRONG WAY RILEY back in 2004 and absolutely LOVED it!!! I thought publishers were nuts not to have snapped it up--but they often are... It's a wonderful book and I'll be thrilled for others to have a chance to read it!!
DeleteYay! Jim Butcher, finally! And I have to get caught up with Ben Aaronovitch. I still have Lies Sleeping sitting on a pile. I did read Dance Away With Me and thoroughly enjoyed it.
DeleteGigi, I just read Scot Free. Irwin kept saying, "What are you laughing at?" I was really giggling through the whole book.
DeleteOh, goodie! I love the Dandy Gilver books, so I have high hopes for this new series.
DeleteGigi, most people know what a fan I am of Elly Griffiths' writing, so I'm delighted that you've read her latest Ruth Galloway, The Lantern Men, and the standalone, The Stranger Diaries. We will get to see DS Harbinder Kaur from The Stranger Diaries in Elly's next standalone (or Harbinder Kaur #2, depending on your source), which is entitled The Postscript Murders. It's out Oct. 1st in the UK, but it's not out in the states until March 2nd of 2021.
DeleteOh, cool! I liked Harbinder.
DeleteI know I am late to the party, but "what are you reading?" is my favorite blog day.
ReplyDeleteI am reading Annette Dashofy's entire Zoe Chambers series, like Julia, I have to start at the beginning. Currently, on book 7.
In between, I have library books, so I just finished Peter Robinson's Wednesday's Child. Powerful.
I just finished Francine Mathew's Merry Folger, Nantucket mysteries about two weeks ago. And, I read Ice Jig, S.W. Hubbard's latest Frank Bennett book, too. Jenn's new book is on my nightstand and Rhys's and Lucy's latest releases will be here very soon. Jim Benn is just sending me a signed copy of his new Billy Boyle book, The Red Horse, which releases on September 1. I cannot wait. I love that series.
In addition, I have been listening on Audible while cooking and baking. Am in the middle of Rhys's Naughty in Nice and just finished Deb's Now May You Weep and The Night Fire by Michael Connelly, with Titus Welliver narrating the Bosch parts. Whew! It's funny but for Audible, I am gravitating towards books that will be read with a British accent. So far, I have 2 of Deb's and 3 of Rhys's books on Audible and will probably go back for more of their books. I am surprised at how much I love being read to! So much fun.
Judy, I've started the Zoe Chambers series, too, fitting them in between books I'm reading for review. I'm on book #5. I love Zoe and Pete!
DeleteI love the Zoe Chambers books.
DeleteGigi, I do, too. I thought I'd read a couple of them and then read the rest later, but I'm hooked on them, so I'm fitting them in quickly now.
DeleteI agree Kathy Ang Gigi. She is a really great character, I love the plots and the secondary characters are terrific.
DeleteJudy
That was supposed to say Kathy and Gigi." The auto-correct on my phone is brutal.
DeleteI’m currently finishing up The Order by Daniel Silva. Other recent finishes include Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld (I will never look at Bill and Hillary again in the same way), Outsider by Linda Castillo and Connie Schultz’s The Daughters of Erietown. Next to read is a new Alexander McCall-Smith and Eddie Glaude Jr’s Begin Again. So much to read.
ReplyDeleteI typed my first comments while the beautician was mixing up my hair color, so I directed you to my blog post I just put up about books being published from roughly July 21st to August 11th. Now that I'm home from getting my hair done, going to the grocery, and having lunch at home (I rarely go out this much these days), I wanted to name some specific titles from my list.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Jen J. Danna's Exit Strategy, the first in her new NYPD Negotiators series, and I loved it. Jen has two other series with Ann Vanderlaan, the Abbott and Lowell Forensic Mysteries and the FBI K-9 series. The K-9 series is written under the name Sara Driscoll. I simply love all writing of Jen's. And, thrill of all thrills, I'm reading Hank's The First to Lie now and will likely finish it today. I can't wait to write my review for your book Hank because I will get to use every superlative I know. I've also read Kim Powers' Rules for Being Dead, and Kim has got himself a winner for sure in this book. I'm sure you'll be reading Kim's book, Debs. Of course, the U.S publication of Elly Griffith's The Lantern Men came out in July, and although I read it when the UK edition came out, I was excited for everyone in the states to lay hands and eyes on what is one of my favorite books in the Ruth Galloway series. Oh, and I'm fitting in the Zoe Chambers series by Annette Dashofy, on book five.
What treats I still have awaiting me, both on my back list and what's coming out. Up next for me will be the following books: Jenn's Paris is Always a Good Idea, Scot on the Rocks by Catriona McPherson (only the e-book version will be out next week), The Last Mrs. Summers by Rhys, Key Lime Crime by Lucy, The End of Her by Shari Lapena, The Wicked Sister by Karen Dionne, We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin, Guest List by Lucy Foley, and Mortmain Hall by Martin Edwards. I'm so happy to have my reading mojo back.
Kathy, now I have another author to add to my must reads. Which of the Jen J. Danna series should I read first?
DeleteAnother new discovery thanks to Mrs. Dalloway's Books is a new series by Y.S. Lee. It is about an Eurasian lady living in Victorian England. Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteWhen work and school closed in March I had the greatest of intentions. But from then til school let out in June, I was busy teaching 3 kids at home and my brain was otherwise soaking up the caution fatigue. Finally in July, I've gotten such a good step on my reading! Severance by Ling Ma, The Highwayman series by Kerrigan Byrne, By the Book by Amanda Sellet, Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo, and a few pandemic related kids books, but for myself, Lily & Timmy's Super, Awesome, Incredible Covid-19 B-day by Mike Farrell, and Daisy and the Deadly Flu: a 1918 Influenza Survival Story by Julie Gilbert. Much more than my usual. I think I need the escape!
ReplyDeleteParis is a Good Idea and Becoming are next.
I have discovered BA Paris and Megan Miranda and have been binging on those. Also just finished The Alice Network, which is incredible. And I just bought (at Walmart!) Hank's The Murder List. Really looking forward to that one. I always sign up for Goodreads Reading Challenge and have read 25 books so far this year. Hoping to reach 50 by end of year. We'll see.
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ReplyDeleteJust read "Mexican Gothic." Excellent. Currently reading "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires."
ReplyDeleteJust read "Mexican Gothic." Excellent. Currently reading "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires."
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